In brief: Accendra’s debut, Medline’s share price, OSA’s link to heart health

RICHMOND, Va. – Owens & Minor, Inc. will change its name to Accendra Health, Inc. with an anticipated effective date of Dec. 31. 

The name change affects only the name of the parent corporation and is intended to better reflect the company’s strategic direction and future organizational focus as a leader in the home-based care market. The company will continue to use and operate under the Apria and Byram Healthcare brands. 

Earlier this year, Owens & Minor signed a definitive agreement to sell its Products & Healthcare Services (P&HS) segment, in a move that the company said supports its transformation into a pure-play home-based care platform, centered around its Patient Direct business. 

“The renaming of our organization is another milestone in the strategic transformation of our company as a leading, pure play home-based care business that puts the patient first while consistently delivering long-term profitable growth,” said Edward A. Pesicka, president & CEO. “Our commitment to providing the highest-quality offerings to patients throughout the country remains unchanged. By becoming Accendra Health, we mark the next exciting chapter in our evolution as a company.” 

In connection with the name change, the company will change its ticker symbol to ACH and the company’s common stock is expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the new name and ticker symbol on Jan. 2, 2026. Also on Jan. 2, the company will launch its new website, www.accendrahealth.com. 

DME MACs to issue final LCDs for skin substitute products effective Jan. 1, 2026 

WASHINGTON – The seven A/B Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) will release updated final Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) for skin substitute grafts and cellular/tissue-based products used to treat diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and venous leg ulcers (VLUs) that will be effective Jan. 1, 2026, according to a Dec. 15 Fact Sheet from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). 

Key highlights of the LCDs 

• Expanded access: Medicare beneficiaries with DFUs and VLUs will have access to multiple evidence-based skin substitute products. 
• Scope: LCDs apply only to DFU and VLU indications; they do not affect payment for other uses. 
• Utilization controls: Frequency and usage limits are included to promote patient safety and ensure reasonable use. 

Background and process 

• CMS delayed the original LCD effective date under the Trump Administration to allow for a comprehensive review and stakeholder input. 
• A six-month evidence submission period ended Nov. 1, 2025, with CMS receiving data for 66 products. 
• Products were categorized into three groups:  
• Covered: Products meeting evidence standards; covered starting Jan. 1, 2026. 
• Non-covered: Products lacking sufficient evidence or ongoing research. 
• 12-month status quo: Products with interim results or active clinical trials; MACs may pay claims at their discretion during this period. 

At the end of the 12-month status quo period (Dec. 31, 2026), MACs will reconsider coverage based on new evidence. A revised LCD is expected in early 2027. 

Current coverage snapshot 

• 18 products identified as covered (including one with new 2025 research). 
• 154 products fall under MAC discretion during the status quo period. 

Additional resources 

• https://www.cms.gov/cms-guide-medical-technology-companies-and-other-interested-parties/coverage/local-coverage-determination-process-and-timeline 
• https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-modernizes-payment-accuracy-significantly-cuts-spending-waste 
• https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-cy-2026-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-final-rule-cms-1832-f 

Study links untreated OSA with accelerated cardiovascular aging 

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine have found evidence that untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) accelerates cardiovascular aging and significantly increases the risk of premature death. 

Study design 

Researchers, led by David Gozal, MD, MBA, PhD (Hon), vice president of health affairs at Marshall University and dean of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, used a long-term mouse model that simulates the intermittent drops in oxygen levels characteristic of sleep apnea. They examined how prolonged exposure to intermittent hypoxia during the time corresponding to usual sleep behaviors in mice influences cardiovascular health across the lifespan. 

Results 

In this model, prolonged intermittent hypoxia was associated with significantly higher mortality compared to normal oxygen conditions. The model also demonstrated clear signs of accelerated cardiovascular aging, including increased blood pressure, impaired heart function, reduced vascular flexibility, diminished coronary flow reserve and abnormalities in cardiac electrical activity. Together, researchers say, these findings show that the chronic physiological stress created by untreated sleep apnea fundamentally alters cardiovascular structure and function in ways that can shorten lifespan. 

Researcher commentary 

“Our findings demonstrate that the consequences of obstructive sleep apnea extend far beyond poor sleep quality,” said lead author Mohammad Badran, PhD, MSc, assistant professor of pediatrics and medical pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. “Prolonged intermittent hypoxia creates a cumulative burden on the cardiovascular system that accelerates biological aging and elevates mortality risk. This underscores how critically important it is to diagnose and treat sleep-disordered breathing as early as possible.” 

Medline to start trading at $29 

NORTHFIELD, Ill. – Medline Inc. on Dec. 17 was expected to begin trading shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “MDLN” at an initial public offering of $29 per share. The upsized IPO is for 216,034,482 shares of its Class A common stock; Medline has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 32,405,172 shares of Class A common stock. The company plans to use the proceeds (net of underwriting discounts) from the issuance of 179,000,000 shares to repay outstanding indebtedness under its senior secured term loan facilities and the remainder for general corporate purposes and to bear the expenses of the offering. Medline has publicly filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) related to a proposed public offering of its common stock. Medline initially filed for the IPO in November. The company was founded by brothers Jon and Jim Mills in 1966 and was later led by Andy Mills, president, and Charlie Mills, CEO, beginning in 1997. Medline formed a strategic partnership with Blackstone, Carlyle and Hellman & Friedman in 2021, and appointed Jim Boyle CEO and Jim Pigott as COO in 2023. The company was previously a publicly traded company from 1972-77.  

One Equity Partners exits InfuCare Rx investment through strategic buyback 

FAIRFIELD, N.J. – One Equity Partners, a middle market private equity firm, has exited its investment in InfuCare Rx, Inc. through a strategic founder-led equity buyback. Financial terms of the private transaction were not disclosed. OEP says InfuCare Rx, founded in 2014, has become one of the nation’s largest privately held independent providers of specialty infusion therapies at home, as well as alternate sites of care. “When we first invested in InfuCare in early 2022, the business represented a compelling opportunity in the home infusion market, as health care was continuing to shift to the home and demographic trends were driving greater demand for chronic condition management,” said Inna Etinberg, partner at One Equity Partners. “Working closely with management, we implemented initiatives that strengthened InfuCare’s revenue cycle and enhanced operational efficiency, driving meaningful growth and value creation.” OEP also supported InfuCare’s acquisition of Florida-based Health First Infusion, enabling the expansion into the Florida market with a brick-and-mortar pharmacy presence.   

Aetna clarifies use of G codes for CPAP claims 

HARTFORD, Conn. – Aetna has clarified that, while durable medical equipment (DME) providers do not use G codes for traditional Medicare fee-for-service claims, it believes G codes can be used for commercial or Medicare Advantage claims, according to a bulletin from AAHomecare. The clarification is in response to industry concerns that the insurer was once again trying to require adherence codes G8851, G8854 and G8855 for reimbursement for CPAP devices or supplies, something the industry has pushed back on more than once, saying the codes can only be billed by clinicians, not DME providers. In October, Aetna issued a list of upcoming policy changes and reminders that stated: “Beginning December 1, 2025, we’ll no longer reimburse the CPAP device or the supplies unless you document positive airway pressure therapy using adherence codes G8851, G8854 and G8855.”  Aetna has confirmed they acknowledge and accept the KX modifier to confirm adherence but strongly recommend that DME suppliers use G codes, as they feel these codes provide additional data. AAHomecare is asking for Aetna to issue a revised policy to be published with this information.  

SleepRes earns FDA clearance for Kricket PAP device 

SAN FRANCISCO - SleepRes, Inc. has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for the Kricket PAP device, powered by Kairos Positive Airway Pressure (KPAP), for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients weighing more than 66 pounds. The SleepRes PAP system is intended for home, hospital/institutional and sleep center settings. “This milestone marks an important moment for the field of sleep medicine,” said David White, M.D., Harvard Medical School, and chief medical officer of SleepRes. “Kricket opens the door to a new category of positive airway pressure therapy that prioritizes comfort, the patient's ability to adapt, and real-world use, while still delivering the therapy patients need. That balance is critical if we want to meaningfully improve long-term outcomes for people living with obstructive sleep apnea.” The Kricket PAP device features proprietary KPAP technology, designed to dynamically adapt pressure delivery throughout the breathing cycle, rather than maintaining a constant, fixed pressure like traditional CPAP devices. By synchronizing therapy with a patient’s natural respiration and airway dynamics, KPAP aims to reduce unnecessary pressure, which may minimize discomfort, alleviate common side effects, and improve tolerance during sleep, the company says. 

Huxley Medical receives FDA approval for SANSA sleep test for CSA 

ATLANTA – Huxley Medical, Inc. has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for central sleep apnea (CSA) detection for its SANSA home sleep apnea test. The FDA clearance follows the presentation of SANSA clinical performance data at the SLEEP meeting earlier this year. The data, collected from 325 patients across 7 clinical sites, compared SANSA's scoring algorithm versus gold-standard polysomnography and demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 99% specificity for the detection of CSA (defined as central apnea index ≥10). "While less common than obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is more prevalent in patients with cardiovascular disease such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation," said Rami Khayat, MD, director of Sleep Services at Penn State, who presented the validation study results. "Accurately distinguishing between these conditions is critical, as it can significantly alter treatment decisions. This is an exciting step that will help clinicians stratify and manage patients more efficiently." The company also announced that Nancy A. Collop, MD, former director of the Emory Sleep Center and past president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), has joined Huxley as medical director of Sleep Medicine. In her new role, Collop will help guide the company's clinical and technology development strategy. "I am pleased to join Huxley Medical and support its mission to deliver more actionable and accessible diagnostic tools," said Dr. Collop. "My career has focused on advancing innovation in patient care, and I believe SANSA has significant potential to further evolve the field of sleep medicine." 

Stander moves to direct-to-seller model 

LOGAN, Utah – Stander has announced it will sell its products directly to seller, allowing it to streamline product and sales support, while giving its partners access to its full product catalog at the best possible pricing. " We've heard from so many of you over the years that this is exactly the change you've wanted,” the company stated. “It's here – and we're thrilled to make it happen with you. Thank you for being part of the Stander family. We're committed to making Stander the easiest and most profitable brand in your store.” Partners who already have a dealer account will see new pricing and newly added items in the Stander Dealer Portal. Companies not yet signed up for a dealer portal can request access here. If you have previously purchased Stander products through a dealer, call 800-506-9901 to get setup in minutes.  

Sunset Healthcare expands line of oxygen parts 

CHICAGO – Sunset Healthcare Solutions has expanded its selection of in-house repair parts for oxygen concentrators, allowing DME providers to service and extend the life of their own concentrators at an affordable cost, it says. The company, which first introduced the line in 2024, has added components for the Rhythm LM5BA and the React Stratus and expanded portable oxygen and liquid oxygen component categories for various machines. “I saw that OEMs were discontinuing certain items and neglecting to focus on supporting customers,” says Sunset’s VP of Business Development Delwin Lovell, the key driver behind the line. “I started reaching out to customers to determine the need and to vendors to determine the accessibility of certain parts, with the goal of providing both dependable and inexpensive replacement parts.” Current offerings include flow meters, valves, capacitors, compressors and rebuild kits, gaskets and seals, pressure regulators, outer cabinet body parts, cooling fans, power cords, mufflers, and circuit breakers. Sunset will feature the full line of repair parts and a compatibility guide in its 2026 catalog. The company says it’s working to expand the line even further. “Customers really appreciate that we’ve added this line because it allows them to use us as a one-stop shop for both filters and parts,” says Lovell. “This year, our first full year, the demand has been huge. We now have over 90 parts on the list.” 

PHS protests insurer’s policy change 

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Pediatric Home Service (PHS) planned to participate in a press conference at the state capitol on Dec. 17 to protest Medica’s decision to cap essential nursing coverage for medically complex children who also have supplemental coverage through Medical Assistance (MA). Medica has imposed a cap that will limit coverage for children who require 24-hour, in-home care to only 10 days of coverage per year, according to a media advisory. PHS says, on average, children covered under commercial insurance and MA through the company are authorized for anywhere from 100-168 hours of skilled-nursing services each week. “This is a draconian reduction that all but eliminates the child’s access to continuous, home care nursing support through their insurance,” the advisory states. “Medica’s new cap eliminates up to 99% of care and offers only a sliver of the are these medically complex children require.” Also planning to attend the event: 

• Families of medically complex children impacted by Medica’s policy; 
• Minnesota Home Care Association; and 
• State legislators. 

Medica has declined to respond to repeated requests for information from patients, their advocates and care providers, according to the advisory. Complaints filed by patient families with the state’s Department of Commerce have resulted in no action, it states. PHS says the consequences of the policy are severe: 

• Families cannot maintain safe home care with only a fraction of authorized hours 
• Hospitals face blocked discharges as children cannot safely return home 
• Parents are forced to abandon employment to replace skilled nurses 
• Children are unable to attend school if home care is unavailable to them 
• Costly increases in health care spending with the use of emergency care 
• Add costs to state Medicaid and taxpayers 

Researchers say early screening and intervention, including the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and other treatment options, may play a key role in improving long-term cardiovascular outcomes, particularly in rural and underserved communities. 

More information 

The study, titled “Prolonged intermittent hypoxia accelerates cardiovascular aging and mortality: insights from a murine model of OSA,” was recently published in npj Aging, one of the leading journals in gerontology and geriatrics. You can view the study in its entirety at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41514-025-00283-4. 

Gaddy Drug changes hands 

MUSKOGEE, OK – Austin Yates, with support from SIG Partners, has acquired Gaddy Drug, a pharmacy and medical equipment provider based here that serves patients across the state. SIG Partners partners with acquisition entrepreneurs to source, buy and grow businesses. “I’m humbled to carry Gaddy’s work forward alongside a seasoned team and with the steady mentorship of Gaddy’s longtime owner,” Yates wrote in a LinkedIn post. “Those close to me know I’ve hoped to own a small business for years. Now the real work begins – the tangible work of troubleshooting printers, fixing broken delivery vehicles and unwinding two-factor authentication. Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Gaddy Drug, founded in 1949, offers incontinence products, bathroom equipment and enteral nutrition.